Birmingham Theological Seminary

ST3526 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY I Birmingham Theological Seminary 2200 Briarwood Way Birmingham, Alabama 35243 205-776-5650

Fall 2014, September 8- December 8 Work Phone: 205-585-0747 ST3526 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY I E-mail address: [email protected] Professor: Dr. Jeff Lowman Class Hours: 2

COURSE PURPOSE

ST3526 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY I This course is a study of theology proper, the doctrine of Scripture and the doctrine of God. Included in the course will be a brief history of theological thought, the doctrine of revelation, the doctrine of Scripture, the existence and know ability of God, the names and attributes of God, the doctrine of the Trinity, the Divine Decree, predestination and providence.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

1. The student will gain an overview of theological development.

2. The student will be able to articulate historic theological systems.

3. The student will gain knowledge of the importance of Biblical inerrancy.

4. The student will develop a deeper understanding of the nature of God, predestination and providence from a Biblical and Reformed perspective.

COURSE TEXTS

Required Texts:

Berkhof, Louis. Systematic Theology. Grand rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans Publishing, 1941.

Boettner, Loraine. The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination. Phillipsburg, N.J.: P&R Publishing, 1991.

Pink, A.W. The Attributes of God. Wilder Publishing, 2009.

Sproul, R.C. Chosen by God. Carol Stream, Il., 1994 COURSE REQUIREMENTS

1. Text Reviews For each required text other than Systematic Theology by Louis Berkhof, a review of the text should be written discussing on one page your overall assessment of the text and two pages discussing a particular topic you found helpful, interesting or with which you had disagreement. Each review is (5 Points).

2. Write a theological paper on a Systematic I topic chosen the third week of class. This paper should include the following: 1. Title page 2. Table of contents 3. Introduction 4. Thesis statement 5. Body (should include) 1) Definition of the doctrine 2) Historical overview of the doctrine 3) Biblical defense of the doctrine 4) Application of the doctrine to your discipline of study 6. Conclusion - giving a summary of the paper's contents 7. Footnotes 8. Bibliography with at least 15 references 9. Paper should be no less than twelve pages and no more than fifteen pages 10. Papers without footnotes or bibliography will not be credited.

GRADING

1. Reading - 15% - due December 8 2. Theological Paper - 35% - due December 1 3. Final Examination – 50% - due December 15

BTS FORMAT AND STYLE STANDARDS

Note: All research papers must be formatted in accordance with Turabian Chicago standards including the title page, citations and bibliography. Any paper not conforming to these standards will automatically be dropped one letter grade. #12 Times New Roman font and double spacing is required on all papers. Proper planning and timely completion of assignments is crucial.

All course materials must be submitted by the last day of class. Thereafter, course materials may be submitted for up to six (6) weeks after the end of the semester directly to the office of the Registrar with the permission of the professor. If a student submits course materials after the end of the semester but within the six (6) weeks grace period, the student’s grade will be lowered by one letter grade. The course materials will not be accepted after the six (6) week grace period and a failing grade will be posted to the student’s transcript.

Course Outline

Start Date: 09/08/2014 Complete Date: 12/08/2014

See printed Systematic I instructional syllabus for course outline and development.

Bibliography

`a Brakel, Wilhelmus. The Christian’s Reasonable Service. 4 vols. Morgan, Pennsylvania: Soli Deo Gloria Publications, 1995.

Ardnt, W.F. and Gingrich F.W.. A Greek English Lexicon Of The New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 4th. ed. Chicago, Illinois: The University Of Chicago Press, 1957.

Bavinck, Herman. Our Reasonable Faith. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1956.

Berkhof, Louis. The History Of Christian Doctrine. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1937.

______. Manual Of Christian Doctrine. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1952.

______. Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Company, 1941

Bromiley, Geoffery. Historical Theology: An Introduction. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1978.

Calvin, John. Calvin’s Commentaries. 12vols. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1980.

______. Institutes Of The Christian Religion. 2 vols. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1962.

Dabney, Robert L. Lectures In Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1972.

Ferguson, Sinclair B. New Dictionary Of Theology. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1988. George, Timothy. Theology Of The Reformers. Nashville, Tennesse: Broadman Press, 1988.

Golding, Peter. Covenant Theology. Ross-shire, Scotland: Christian Focus Publications, 2004.

Hodge, Archibald, A. Outlines Of Theology. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing Company, 1977.

Hodge, Charles. Systematic Theology. 3 vols. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmands Publishing Company, 1952.

M’Clintoch, John. Cyclopedia Of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature. 10 vols. New York, N.Y.: Harpers and Brothers Publishers, 1867.

McGrath, Alister E. Historical Theology. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishers, 1998.

Reymond, Robert L. A New Systematic Theology Of The Christian Faith. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1998.

Sheldon, Henry C. History Of Christian Doctrine. 3 vols. New York, N.Y.: Eaton and Mains, 1906.

Vincent, Marvin R. Word Studies In The New Testament. 4 Vols. New York, N.Y.: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1914.

Vos, Geerhardus. Biblical Theology. Grand Rapids , Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1948.

Warfield, Benjamin,B. The Works Of Benjamin B. Warfield. 10 Vols. New York, New York: 1932; reprint, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1981.

The Westminster Confession Of Faith. Atlanta, Georgia: C.E.&P, 1990.